Tumble dryers

[taybert]

We've currently got a condenser dryer which isn't great. Takes about 2 hours to dry a full load. It also now leaks and leaves black marks on clothes so probably time for a new one!

Since buying the condenser we've moved house and the dryer is now in an outhouse. I had thought that I'd replace it with a vented one, my reasons being that I was under the impression that they are quicker and I could just vent the hose through the window above the machine. When I've started looking, however, the choice is much smaller for vented machines. Also, when I've looked at the venting it seems quite difficult to get the hose right so you don't get condensation and fluff in the pipe (no kinks, no u shaped bends, not higher than 50cm) The windows are obviously higher than 50cm so the alternative would be drilling a hole in a solid limestone wall. It's starting to look less convenient.

So, a condenser perhaps looks like the better option but are they still bad at drying? Mine is obviously old and not working as well anyway but it's never been fast. Anyone got any recommendations? Alternatively can anyone tell me if the "rules" about venting really need to be followed or if it'll be ok just sticking through the window behind?!

[ChunkyHare]

Mine is an Beko condenser sensor one so it stops automatically when it senses the clothes are dry.

It is a 9kg, my washing machine is 8kg, and it takes under an hour with a normal load of school uniform trousers and jumpers (sweatshirt type ones) about 1hr 20 with jeans in. The jeans waistband is still a touch damp so I just hang them up in the utility to air dry.

I put the washing machine on at the same time so I know how little times it takes. School shirts take about 45 mins.

I put a drain kit into my tumble dryer so I don't empty the bottle out, it drains into the same pipe as the washing machine. They are side by side.

I can't advise on vented because I haven't had one for about 15 years.

[ChunkyHare]

Wish this had an edit button, forgot to say, the one thing that made the biggest difference to drying time is the spin speed on your washing machine.

I had a 1200 spin 8 year old Bosch which died, I replaced it with a 1400 spin AEG and couldn't believe the difference in tumble drying times!

[user1471549018]

In general I have found vented tumble dryers (slightly) better, cheaper and less hassle so if I could I would always have a vented one. I would vent it properly rather than sticking it out of the window if possible though

[taybert]

I was going to vent it properly by taking a small pane of glass out of the window but that would result in it being higher and having bends in the pipe. I could bash through the wall but it's about a foot and a half thick so wouldn't be easy. Cost wise there isn't much difference and there is a lot more choice in condensers.

[taybert]

That's handy to know about drying times Chunky. I'm going to get a new washer at the same time so I'll go for a fast spin!

[Ilikedogs]

I haven't used a condenser dryer before so no help there...

But we have a vented dryer and have moved to a house where they used a condenser. Took a call to the handyman and maybe 20 minutes to drill a hole through the wall for the dryer (probably almost12" thick). He charges by the hour so circa £20. Its a small job if you find someone with the right tools.

[taybert]

It's a solid random limestone wall so it's tricky. I think we can probably do it without too many bends in the pipe through the window.

[Believeitornot]

Just ask around to see if you can find a handyman with the right drill bit.

We have a vented Bosch tumble dryer. I can imagine there's not much choice because they're pretty basic machines. And do a fab job. We are currently using it with the hose out the window and have had no problems (this is until we have our kitchen redone and can fit it where we want!)

[insancerre]

I've just got a Hoover condenser from ao for £220
It is very quick at drying and because it's got a sensor it stops when the clothes are dry
My old one was a hot point death trap that I got a refund on from the manufacturer and it wasn't that good

[LadyPenelope68]

Vented dryers are much better than condensers IMO, much quicker drying. A good handyman with the right drill bit will sort you a vent in the wall very easily. As for you saying there's not much choice, not much choice in what? They are all the same really, no matter what brand.

[taybert]

In terms of choice it's really about getting a large capacity machine. There aren't many and they don't have that many reviews. It made me wonder if I was making a niche choice in some way and that people might come on and say that condensers are way better than they used to be and that in a few years no one would bother with vented as they'd caught up. I appreciate I'm probably over thinking it!
Thanks for the info.

[pengymum]

Could you raise the dryer on a platform or on top of a kitchen cabinet do that there aren't too many bends in pipe? Then you'd have storage for laundry stuff underneath and easier on your back when emptying & folding stuff out of dryer as well! 😃

[pengymum]

Sorry should read SO that there aren't

[LadyPenelope68]

What do you call large capacity? I've a 6kg capacity (which is about one of the biggest) vented dryer and it's a huge drum. Easily copes with a full load in one go and quickly dries it all. We're a 2 adult, 2 teenager family and I wash at least once a day if not twice, and it easily keeps up with that.

[ThereIsIron]

We've had a vented drier for 12 years. Vent goes up and out the garage window. No problems whatsoever.

[PigletJohn]

Your wall is thicker than I am used to, but the tool for drilling such holes is readily available. Any plumber or builder will have one, and they can be hired. A local person will be familiar with working in homes like yours. Builders and bank robbers sometimes core through concrete a metre thick. A core drill makes a neat round hole and requires no bashing.

Limestone is not a hard material, but stone walls are often made with cut or coursed pieces on each skin, filled with rubble. This can be more difficult to work with as the rubble might collapse into the hole. Once the holes is lined with duct (this is essential) it should be OK. Again, a local person will be familiar with local materials and techniques.

Vented driers are much simpler, and have less to go wrong.

If you do decide to have a hole made, think of any other holes you might want (cooker hood, bathroom extractor etc) and have them done at the same time.

It is convenient to have the hole beside the drier rather than directly behind it, in case the next one you buy has the outlet in a different place. Driers seem to have outlets in the back and on the left-hand side, usually both and you choose which to use, but look at a few as I don't know if this is a universal rule.

[taybert]

Yep, it's the rubbly sort of wall! The outside is random limestone so no courses and lots of different sizes of stone. The pointing isn't great either so I imagine it'll be tricky to get a neat hole and it'd need patching up. I'll probably ask a local handyman to look.
Thanks!

[PigletJohn]

plumbers drill walls every day, for drains, soil pipes and water pipes. The tumble drier duct is the same size as soil pipe, so see if you can get a personal recommendation.

[Mol1628]

Probably a silly question but have you cleaned the condenser unit? My condenser dryer takes ages to dry and leaks when I need to take then consenser unit out and spray it out.

[taybert]

I didn't even know you could do that! The leak is due to a hole in the tank though.